Best hat..ever!

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Best hat…ever!

What?  Are we talking about a hat?  Not a top hat or sombrero, but a ball cap no less.  Well, unless you’ve been in a cave (Taliban?) for the past decade, the ball cap is part of our tactical wardrobe.  But..not all caps are the same.

If you ever meet a manufacturers rep or go to a trade show you’ll walk away with the expected patch and ball cap with their logo adorned to the front (back, side and top some times).  It’s rare to find a plain cap.  Or, you go the opposite way to show your cool factor and wear a ball cap that is “un-tactical” showing a sports team or better, maybe a non-tactical clothing company.

However, if you are like me and spend hours working outside, a good ball cap is a necessity.

A ball cap protects your head from the elements and most importantly the sun.  Now the issue that plagues me is the fit and feel of the cap.  Too often the material is cheap and after a half hour of wear, the head starts to get irritated.  Weight also adds to discomfort.  Finally, if you spend time in the direct sun, a bad hat can heat up and act as a mini-oven on your noggin.

After many attempts at the perfect hat, I finally found one.

I was exposed to 215 Gear (http://215gearstore.com) several years ago after a buddy showed me his Blended Operator’s Cap.  It was impressive.  No logo, mesh sides and a good fit.  I bought a couple that served me for several years (and it had a velcro patch…so I could still be tactical.)

The material still wasn’t as light as I wanted it.  Well, the fine folks at 215 Gear listened and came out with the Ultimate Blended Operator’s Cap.  Ultimate is the right word.  They now use a super light soft shell layer for material and it is not only light, but feels great.  The hat conforms to your head and provides some rain protection (tested in the field).

The mesh is also a soft fabric and I can easily feel the breeze circle around my head.  They provide plenty of loop velcro on the front and back AND top so you can really tac out the hat if you are in a unit that needs it.

My only (?) issue is that right now the one color that hat comes in is multicam.  I hope 215 Gear will make these hats with a khaki or OD green soon.

Yes, you will have to pay for this kind of awesomeness.  The hat retails for $39.99.  I feel it’s worth every penny.  You will too if you work outside.  How much is your comfort worth?

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About Arik Levy

Arik Levy is an 12 year veteran law enforcement officer working full time at a major metropolitan agency in the South East. He spent 7 years working the streets in patrol and as a field training officer. For the past four years he has been a full time firearms instructor teaching handgun, rifle and shotgun. Arik also has been competing in USPSA for the past two years where he is currently classified in Production Division at A class. He is a two time gold medalist in his division for the Florida Police and Fire games 3 Gun match, and a gold medalist in both the Practical Pistol and Shotgun match. He is also the Top Cop Pistol Champion for 2014 and 2015. He has trained with an extensive list of both tactical and competitive instructors including: Mike Pannone, Pat McNamara, Frank Proctor, Scott Reitz, Chris Costa, Max Michel, Frank Garcia, Bruce Gray, Ben Stoeger, Steve Anderson and Jerry Barnhart. Arik is also a certified Advanced Armorer with Glock, Colt, Sig Sauer and Smith and Wesson.

3 thoughts on “Best hat..ever!”

  1. Filson Tin Cloth Low-Profile Cap – durable, water-repellant and made in the USA. Best for cooler, wet climates. Wouldn’t cut it in the summer sun down south.

  2. I’ve got one of those (along with a Blended Operator’s Hat, and their ELW Operator’s Hat). It’s a nice, lightweight cap. I just don’t care for the material 215 Gear used for the bills. It doesn’t shape as well as others I’ve tried.

    Say what you will about the quality of Condor gear, but they make a nice, soft mesh ballcap, which I use frequently at work. I’m also a fan of the appearance of the RE Factor Blasting Cap, but FlexFit hats and I have never gotten along well.

  3. Looks nice, but my personal choice is/was the 10-8 od green mesh cap. Lightweight, comfortable, and made in the USA. Perfect for the south Florida summer heat. Only problem is that they are out of stock! Hope you are reading this Hilton……..

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